Objective F: The Department of Corrections will have access to psychiatric hospital services for mentally ill forensic patients.

Discussion

Currently, Alaska Psychiatric Institute has only 10 beds that are reserved for court ordered mental status evaluations and for competency evaluations and training for those found to be incompetent to stand trial. Correctional transfer capability for the Department of Corrections to a psychiatric hospital needs to exist when and for as long as the individual needs this care. The Department of Corrections will continue to operate a men's mental health unit to provide psychiatric assessment and treatment for mentally ill inmates. As of January, 1998, the Department of Corrections will begin operation of a women's psychiatric assessment and treatment unit, using Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority initial funding. Continued development and funding for this service are necessary.

Actions

343. The Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities will continue to explore other models for providing court ordered evaluations, e.g., out-patient evaluations with experts sent to the prison, court clinic model, licensing of private practitioners for forensic evaluations.

344. The Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities and Department of Corrections will coordinate where to house those individuals ordered by the court to have psychiatric evaluation; and the Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities will provide for staff for the evaluations.

345. Assure that the future Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API) has space for correctional transfers; the Department of Corrections will coordinate with API to determine treatment needs and anticipated lengths of stay for correctional transfers to API.

346. Assure that the Department of Corrections has access to forensic hospital services for mentally ill offenders as needed.
Responsible party (actions 1-4): Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities

347. The Alaska Mental Health Board will advocate for continued funding for the women's mental health unit.
Responsible party: Alaska Mental Health Board